I’m in absolute heaven, and I don’t know how I missed this. Video game developer Ludia has released The Price is Right for the iPhone, which in my biased TPIR fanboy opinion is one of the best gaming titles I’ve seen on the App Store yet. And at $2.99 for a “limited time,” $2 less than its $4.99 typical price, you can’t go wrong with this one.

The 35 year old game show franchise has made a significant push into interactive media, releasing games for the Nintendo Wii and DS consoles, as well as PC. I guess with the iPhone being one of the preeminent mobile gaming platforms, it was only a matter of time before developers brought the game to the device.

The graphics as you can see from the screenshots are very impressive. While early downloaders reported problems with crashing and the like, I had no problems at all running the game. It also ran quickly without any studdering or freezes which is also good.

As a contestant, you have the choice of playing two different methods, either “three strikes,” where you have only three losses between Contestant’s Row and the Big Wheel, or the more traditional method where you get once through everything. There is even a multi-player “party” mode where you can challenge your friends.

TPIR purists will be bothered by the single player mode, which even after you lose in Contestant’s Row, you’ll still end up playing a pricing game. However, you must win at the Big Wheel in order to go to the Showcase Showdown.

What’s neat about this title is the fact that it uses real video from the show to demonstrate the items up for bid, as well as the prizes in both the games and Showcase. I’d be really curious as to whether Ludia plans to deliver updates to these in updates to the game. It would give the title a more evergreen appeal, and frequent players wouldn’t be able to game the system, keeping it fun for all.

Graphics on this are very impressive. As you can see from the screenshots, the set looks very life-like, and the music as well as announcer are actual music from the show, altogether fans should be very pleased. I know I am.

With sixteen of the games included, such as Plinko, Hole in One (or two, as TPIR fans know), the Race Game, and even Cliffhangers complete with the yodeling dude, its going to take a while before I get bored with this one.

Some of the descriptions of prizes seem a bit lacking, which could make it more difficult to make accurate bids. But other than that, there really is not much to dislike about this game.

So what are you waiting for? As the late Rod Roddy made famous, “Come On Down!” You won’t be disappointed.

More screenshots below.

 
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